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[1] The wordes of king Lamuel, and the lesson that his mother taught him
[2] What my sonne? what the sonne of my body? and what O my deare beloued sonne
[3] Geue not ouer thy strength & wayes vnto women, which are the destruction euen of kynges
[4] O Lamuel, it is not for kynges, it is not [I say] for kynges to drynke wine, nor princes strong drynke
[5] Lest they by drnkyng forget the lawe, and peruert the iudgement of all poore mens children
[6] Geue strong drynke vnto such as are redy to perishe, and wine vnto those that mourne
[7] That they may drynke it, and forget their miserie and aduersitie
[8] Be thou an aduocate for the dumbe, [to speake] in the cause of all such as be succourlesse in this transitorie worlde
[9] Open thy mouth, defende the thyng that is lawfull and ryght, and the cause of the poore and helpelesse
[10] Who so fyndeth an honest faythfull woman, she is much more worth then pearles
[11] The heart of her husbande may safely trust in her, so that he shall fall into no pouertie
[12] She wyll do hym good, and not euill, all the dayes of her lyfe
[13] She occupieth wooll and flaxe, and laboureth gladly with her handes
[14] She is like a marchauntes ship, that bryngeth her vittayles from a farre
[15] She is vp in the nyght season, to prouide meate for her housholde, and foode for her maydens
[16] She considereth lande, and byeth it: and with the fruite of her handes she planteth a vineyarde
[17] She girdeth her loynes with strength, and fortifieth her armes
[18] And yf she perceaue that her huswiferie doth good, her candell goeth not out by nyght
[19] She layeth her fingers to the spindle, & her hande taketh holde of the distaffe
[20] She openeth her hande to the poore, yea she stretcheth foorth her handes to such as haue neede
[21] She feareth not that the colde of wynter shall hurt her housholde, for all her housholde folkes are clothed with scarlet
[22] She maketh her selfe faire ornametes, her clothyng is white silke and purple
[23] Her husbande is much set by in the gates, when he sitteth among the rulers of the lande
[24] She maketh cloth of silke, and selleth it: and deliuereth girdles vnto the marchaunt
[25] Strength and honour is her clothing, and in the latter day she shall reioyce
[26] She openeth her mouth with wisdome, and in her tongue is the lawe of grace
[27] She loketh well to the wayes of her housholde: and eateth not her bread with idlenesse
[28] Her children arise vp & call her blessed: and her husbande shall make much of her
[29] Many daughters [there be that] gather riches together: but thou goest aboue them all
[30] As for fauour it is deceiptfull, & beautie is a vayne thyng: but a woman that feareth the Lorde, shalbe praysed
[31] Geue her of the fruite of her handes: and let her owne workes prayse her in the gates
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